摘要：Objective: To test the hypothesis tha. norma.izing the intestina. flora.by a.m inistra.ion of prophyla.tic probiotics would provide a.na.ura. defense, thereby reducing both the incidence a.d severity of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in p reterm neona.es. Study design: Neona.es ≤1500 g birth weight were ra.domized to either receive a.da.ly feeding supplementa.ion with a.probiotic mixture (Bifido ba.teria.infa.tis, Streptococcus thermophilus, a.d Bifidoba.teria.bifidus; Solga.r, Isra.l) of 109 colony forming units (CFU)/da. or to not receive feed suppleme nts. NEC wa. gra.ed a.cording to Bell’s criteria. Results: For 72 study a.d 73 control infa.ts, respectively, birth weight (1152 ±262 g vs 1111 ±278 g), gest a.iona. a.e (30 ±3 weeks vs 29 ±4 weeks), a.d time to rea.h full feeds (14.6 ±8.7 da.s vs 17.5 ±13.6 da.s) were not different. The incidence of NEC wa. red uced in the study group (4%vs 16.4%; P = .03). NEC wa. less severe in the prob iotic-supplemented infa.ts (Bell’s criteria.2.3 ±0.5 vs 1.3 ±0.5; P = .005). Three of 15 ba.ies who developedNEC died, a.d a.l NEC-rela.ed dea.hs occurred in control infa.ts. Conclusion: Probiotic supplementa.ion reduced both the incid ence a.d severity of NEC in our prema.ure neona.a. popula.ion.